The grim situation confronting fish harvesters in NAFO Subdivision 3Ps was among the topics discussed when representatives of fishermen and plant workers met with federal Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc in St. John’s today.
According to a news release from the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW-Unifor), union representatives highlighted the ongoing crisis on the province’s south coast.
Harvesters are advocating for increased access to halibut, scallop and sea cucumber in order to make up for the unprecedented decline in other species in the area.
Other topics discussed during the meeting included the need to enforce the owner operator policy and the transition from shellfish to groundfish.
We look forward to continuing to work with Minister LeBlanc to ensure the benefits of the resources on our doorstep go back to coastal communities, said FFAW president Keith Sullivan.
We are optimistic, given his track record since taking on the portfolio, that the minister will take swift action to address the challenges facing harvesters and plant workers in the province.
TC Media © 2016